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Fledglings cocoon, we're Flying in June ... .

828 replies

SansCollier · 30/05/2017 14:49

Welcome to the June 2017 fledgling Fly thread!

Feel free to park your mops and buckets here from the 1st of the month!

This is where we attempt to declutter our homes and follow the 30-step wisdom of Flylady (minus cutesy barftastic language and a surfeit of e-mails) with lots of chat and support and mutual motivation (and Wine of course) along the way.

More info available here, here and here.

As usual we will be following a three-pronged approach - and don't worry - we are all at different stages. (Some of us are still stuck at the decluttering stage after quite a few years Blush):

1 - repeat or start baby steps (again!)

2 - repeat baby steps + do 15 mins a day decluttering in the current zone

or

3 - reinforce babysteps and/or do daily missions

And those of you who have decluttered and are really enthusiastic can throw some detailed cleaning in to the mix as well!

The idea is that we focus on short, ring-fenced, daily bursts of activity (steps and routines) that will help our homes run (more or less!) on "automatic pilot" allowing us to do far more interesting things instead!

This is a very long-running thread so we may appear cliquey but we really aren't! All newcomers, long-termers, lurkers and intermittent returnees welcome!

Helpful pointers: No perfectionism allowed! If it took a while to create the current C.H.A.O.S. (can't have anyone over syndrome) in your home, then it will probably take a while to reverse the situation (you can't clean clutter!). Small steps are the key! And you are never behind: just jump in where you are at!

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck!

OP posts:
Cagliostro · 30/05/2017 14:49

Signing in thanks SC! :)

SansCollier · 30/05/2017 14:50

Wow, well spotted Cag! Smile

OP posts:
Wh0Kn0wsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/05/2017 15:27

Me too, thank you Flowers

Afreshstartplease · 30/05/2017 17:27

Place marking!

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 30/05/2017 18:19

Placemarking :)

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/05/2017 18:50
TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 30/05/2017 19:30

Hello all, thanks for a fab May thread and for doing June SC FlowersWine.

I just started a thread in chat asking for tips for a tidy house with young children. No replies Grin. Does that mean actually nobody achieves it or just that nobody cares enough to post ConfusedGrin.

Ta da:-
Bathtime
House not in complete chaos after play date

To do:-
DDs' teeth
General tidy up
Bedtime
Look at to do list for tonight.

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/05/2017 19:49

Are we posting on this thread now,or may one til end of month?!
stressy only ever met one person who had tidy house and kids. Poor things weren't allowed get toys out,and hot told off if got dirty at nursery with paint/chalks etc.we went park together once-mine came back covered in mud,grass stains and she bought Lolly's so sticky and stained,but very happy.hers looked like after in persil ad...she tied cloths around them whilst ate lollies and they were constantly ask if might join my lot rolling around getting grotty (no)
Great thing I heard once-ar your grave side would you want your kids to say"aw mum kept house immaculate" or "she was great fyn playing with us nd let us get out glitter/paint/make cakes" I figure they will move out one day(sobs at idea) and then I can only blame myself if place a tip.meanwhile I battle the chaos and enjoy them whilst I can((getting old and philosophical)) can you tell by fondness its been a relatively calm day here

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 30/05/2017 19:55

I think we are posting on both threads as always Grin. Thanks zoo, I agree with all of that, have had a few replies on my thread after I bumped it. The key seems to be less stuff... Grin.

MercuryRising · 30/05/2017 20:19

Parking my mop.

Stressy I think dc and clutter and mess go hand in hand. They are only little for such a short time .... one day we will miss the mess I am sure Hmm

Cagliostro · 30/05/2017 20:30

Zoo I agree, obviously there is a balance to be had but a picture perfect show home with kids who aren't allowed to get mucky isn't healthy IMHO. We had some social services involvement a few years ago (I self referred when DH was still injured and I got sick) and they were happy with the place - said they were pleased to see toys, art stuff etc.

I just need to get to the stage where it's easy to get paints out etc because at the moment it feels like there's already too much mess IYSWIM! There's no space to do stuff like that.

Caglets have put some more bits away this evening. Again the place looks really no different. Need to put our own clothes away and then sort out the table area (one giant hotspot) because we have DSCs coming round for board games tomorrow.

Cagliostro · 30/05/2017 20:37

I feel like I'm at an impasse really, most of the toys are actually sorted now, there's a few things we might sell but most things are played with. A few big things like Happyland will be put in the (otherwise TOTALLY EMPTY!!!) attic ready for Cagletini reaching toddlerhood, once I can figure out how to properly clean and store them. Hmm

Most of our bedroom is books now - DH already chucked a load in the recycling because they had gone manky in the attic but there's loads left and I don't know what to do with it all. I am leaning towards Ziffit or something, I don't expect we will get much money but at least they collect (we don't drive) - I'm just not sure we even have the space to sort it all at the moment?! I want to do it all in one fell swoop really.

I'm sounding ridiculous aren't I, there's really no excuse.

Also need to sort board games - those I can sell on FB, I just need to go through and check them. They are my big big obsession, there are plenty I am happy to part with (life is too short for poor quality games!) and others I haven't even tried yet!

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/05/2017 20:55

cag I fully get that. We have shed loads toys, but they are played with and it's hard find places to keep them. We also have had social service involvement-after ds born j was very ill pnd and he was an awful vabyy,scream constant, lost enough weight fall off charts.one HV our practise(not my usual) reported me say thought I starving himAngry(after much testing as he refused bottles was found have reversal chromosome.didn't get an apology thoHmmI refuse see that HV again)anyhoo I digress the social worker said our house like a nursery as toys spilling out everywhereGrinnever any concerns there wasn't enough stimulationGrin

I also hoard books.I love reading with and to zoolets,even now. I need find out how to store the Julia Donaldson etc fir grandkids as I can't bear part with them all.so many happy hours have been spent between those pages......

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 30/05/2017 21:11

Cag, your attic is empty? ShockShockShockEnvyEnvyEnvy

When the parenting lady from the children's centre came round I had done a big stash and dash first but actually the first things she did was get out all the dolls and play with DD2. I think they like to see toys around as long as it isn't like an episode of hoarders!

mermaidsandunicorns · 30/05/2017 21:29

Placemarking

PurpleDaisies · 30/05/2017 21:30

Checking in.

I will be better than on the may thread...I will, I will, I will!

Afreshstartplease · 30/05/2017 21:34

Purple think I say that every month but am actually getting worse

Cagliostro · 30/05/2017 21:37

Yep it's now empty, don't be jealous though really it just means the crap is all over the rest of the house. It's not a big attic it's one of those crawl space things that doesn't have a ladder. So it's a right PITA. But there was stuff in there we had literally put up in the attic when we moved in Blush - random shit shoved in boxes, it's so embarrassing! Why were we keeping all this stuff? Anyway lots of the books were ruined anyway and the rest we have brought down to sort out... supposedly.

Cagliostro · 30/05/2017 21:38

I did the washing up and put a wash on, then did the first part of my pregnancy workout DVD. The Caglets joined in :o wonder when the novelty will wear off.

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/05/2017 21:39

Did anyone move in may?!

I not quite at hoarder episode stage yet

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 30/05/2017 21:40

I did a bit. Am on an exercise thread on
here which helps but have been a bit rubbish. Need to get back into it after half term.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 30/05/2017 21:48

Not sure if we are allowed to mention other threads on MN (always seems like not the done thing) but my thread on chat is getting some useful ideas Smile if any of you want to take a look.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2942541-If-you-have-young-children-and-a-tidy-clutter-free-organised-house-do-you-have-any-tips-for-me?pg=1&order=

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Rosabellajames · 30/05/2017 22:03

Marking place , thanks SC . Nearly completed a full month! Hoping things start getting easier as the months pass - I have to say the planning days are helping lots, today I have bought birthday cards and sorted pressies for the birthdays in June, bought the Father's Day cards and bought Grandad a pressie ! This has never happened before!! Haha

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/05/2017 22:09

Having read that I think I past help I not naturally tidy and like OK knows all cuddles by name(has blanket box full) and knows any are missing!!

Stilllivinginazoo · 30/05/2017 22:09

Like OK?!wtf.lil zoo

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